Andes–Amazon Birding Tour
$6,000 USD – 10 Days, All Included
This 10-day birding tour takes you through one of the most diverse regions of Ecuador, where the Andes gradually descend into the Amazon. Along the way, you will explore different habitats, from lush foothill forests to lowland rainforest, offering opportunities to observe an incredible variety of bird species, including hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, and many Amazonian specialties.
Day 1 – Arrival in Quito
The tour begins in Quito, where we meet and transfer to Birding Garden for our first night. Depending on arrival times, we can spend the afternoon birding around Tababela, a great area to start spotting Andean valley species.
Alternatively, guests can choose to visit nearby birding spots such as Zuro Loma (approx. 3,100 m / 10,170 ft elevation), known for its cloud forest birds, or explore the Río Chiche bridge area, where the canyon habitat offers chances to observe several interesting species.
Day 2 – Antisana or Papallacta Birding Route
6:00 a.m. – Breakfast at Birding Garden
For this day we have two possible routes, depending on the group’s interests and weather conditions.
Option 1: Antisana – La Mica Lagoon
We depart at 8:00 a.m. toward the Antisana Ecological Reserve, one of the best places to observe high-Andean birds and páramo ecosystems. We will drive up to La Mica Lagoon, where we may see several species typical of this high-altitude habitat.
At 1:00 p.m. we will have lunch at Tambo Cóndor, where we can also enjoy hummingbird watching in the gardens.
In the afternoon we continue our journey to Guango Lodge, where we will rest and, if time allows, do some birding around the lodge.
Option 2: Papallacta – Cayambe-Coca Route
After breakfast at 6:00 a.m. at Birding Garden, we leave early along the Baeza–Tena road, making several birding stops along the way.
We will enter the Cayambe-Coca Reserve and continue up to the Papallacta foothills, an excellent area to observe montane forest species and birds of the Andean–Amazon transition.
At 1:00 p.m. we will have lunch at Papallacta Hot Springs. After lunch, we continue birding on the eastern side of Cayambe-Coca National Park until approximately 4:30 p.m.
Finally, we descend to Guango Lodge, where we will spend the night.
Day 3 – Birding at Guango Lodge
We start the day with breakfast at Guango Lodge. In the morning, we visit the moth traps, a great place to observe birds that come to feed on insects attracted during the night.
Afterwards, we will spend the day birding around the trails and gardens of Guango Lodge, an excellent area for observing hummingbirds and many species typical of Andean cloud forests.
We will have lunch at the lodge and continue birding in the afternoon in the surrounding forest.
Dinner and overnight at Guango Lodge.
Finally, we descend to Guango Lodge, where we will spend the night.
Day 4 – From Guango Lodge to San Isidro
We start the day with breakfast at Guango Lodge and spend the morning birding around the lodge until late morning.
At around 11:30 a.m., we depart for San Isidro Lodge, making several birding stops along the way. Some of the key stops may include areas such as Brisas and Quetzal, where we will look for a variety of foothill and Andean bird species.
We continue our journey with birding along the route until reaching San Isidro Lodge, where we will have lunch and settle in for the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at San Isidro Lodge.
Day 4 – From Guango Lodge to San Isidro
Day 5 – Birding at San Isidro
We begin the day with breakfast at San Isidro Lodge. In the morning, we will visit the moth traps, where many birds come to feed on insects attracted during the night.
Afterward, we will spend the day birding around San Isidro and along the road toward Las Chaucheras, exploring different habitats and looking for a variety of foothill species.
We will have lunch at the lodge and continue birding in the afternoon in the surrounding areas.
Dinner and overnight at San Isidro Lodge.
Day 6 – Guacamayos and Transfer to Wildsumaco
We depart early from San Isidro Lodge. At 7:00 a.m. we arrive at Guacamayos, where we will spend the morning birding in this excellent area known for its rich diversity of foothill and cloud forest species.
Around 12:00 p.m. we return to San Isidro Lodge for lunch.
After lunch, we continue our journey to Wildsumaco, enjoying the change in landscape as we move closer to the Amazon foothills.
Upon arrival, we will rest and settle in at Wildsumaco.
Dinner and overnight at Wildsumaco.
Days 7 & 8 – Full Birding at Wildsumaco
These two days are dedicated to full birding around Wildsumaco. We will explore the trails, forest edges, and surrounding areas, searching for the incredible diversity of birds found in this Andean–Amazon foothill habitat.
Early mornings will begin with breakfast at the lodge, followed by birding sessions throughout the day. We will return to the lodge for lunch, and continue birding in the afternoon along different trails and viewpoints.
Wildsumaco is an excellent place to observe tanagers, hummingbirds, toucans, antbirds, and many other Amazonian foothill specialties.
Dinner and overnight at Wildsumaco.
Day 9 – Amarun Pakcha and Ally Sacha Birding
After breakfast at Wildsumaco, we depart to explore nearby birding areas including Amarun Pakcha and Ally Sacha, located near the Parque Nacional Sumaco Napo-Galeras. These forests are excellent places to observe a variety of Amazonian foothill species.
We will spend the day birding along trails and forest edges in these areas.
In the afternoon, we return to Wildsumaco for dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 10 – Limoncocha Birding and Night Walk
After breakfast at Wildsumaco, we depart for Limoncocha Biological Reserve, located in the Amazon lowlands.
We will spend the afternoon birding around Limoncocha, exploring the lagoon and surrounding forests, which are excellent habitats for many Amazonian bird species.
In the evening, we will do a night outing, giving us the opportunity to look for nocturnal wildlife such as owls, nightjars, frogs, and other Amazonian species.
Overnight near Limoncocha.
Day 10 – Limoncocha Birding and Night Walk
After breakfast, we will depart for Coca for those continuing their journey in the Amazon, or return to Quito depending on travel plans.
This marks the end of the birding tour.